Fish consumption, allergic sensitisation and allergic diseases in adults

Previous studies have suggested that fish intake plays a protective role in the development of allergic diseases because of its high content of n-3 very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (VLC-PUFA). However, it is not clear whether fish intake also has a beneficial effect in adulthood, when allergic diseases are thought to be predominantly manifested.

Data from 388 adults from German study centres within the European Community Respiratory Health Study II were analysed. These subjects completed an extensive interviewer-administered questionnaire as well as a food frequency questionnaire, lung function measurement and blood drawing for specific IgE testing at the study centre.

Allergic sensitisation (RAST >or=2) was negatively associated with high fish consumption (adjusted OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.05-0.83) and high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake (adjusted OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.07-0.95) in females but not in males when comparing the fourth quartile with the first quartile of intake. No other outcome was related to fish or DHA consumption.

The findings of this study suggest that adult females with a high fish and DHA intake have a lower rate of allergic sensitisation. It is not understood why this association was only seen in females, but gender-related differences in metabolism of PUFAs could be a possible explanation.